Matt Paradise Episode 1 – My Transformation

Michelle Seguin’s son, Devin, in 2013.  Devin got a stomach ache following which the medical staff found a cancerous tumor. Five weeks later, the medical staff performed surgery on Devin to remove the tumor. Within 24 hours of removing the tumor, he passed away because his body poisoned itself. His body still was trying to fight a tumor that was removed. There is nothing more painful a parent can go through than the loss of a child. Unfortunately, Michelle became a part of this group. Through her open and honest storytelling, Michelle gives the listener a heartfelt insight into the realities of losing a child, the search for acceptance, and how she created a legacy of love that transcends time. In this podcast, she documents her raw emotions around the loss of her son Devin and shares how his inspirational love for life helped her find herself and truly live. Michelle desires to help others see that a person can go through total devastation, physically, mentally, and emotionally, hit rock bottom, and still find their way to peace after the storm. Like so many others who face this unthinkable reality, Michelle’s grief and trauma affected every part of her life—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. For Michelle, the physical expression in her body showed up through chronic pain and severe fibromyalgia flare-ups that stymied her life. In this podcast, she shares her journey through the dark times and explores how other people express and handle trauma, grief, and sadness. Devin lived ‘Larger Than Life’ during his twenty-three years of life. By navigating the process of grief and seeing her son through the eyes of love and honor, Michelle has found her true, authentic self. Her book Larger Than Life: A Mother’s Love, Loss, and Her Journey Back to Living is Devin’s legacy.

Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt is an autistic self-advocate and father of two neurodiverse daughters. He earned a doctorate researching online education and writing instruction for students with autism spectrum disorders. His experiences living with physical and neurological differences shape his parenting. Dr. Scott consults with schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations on issues of autism, neurodiversity, and active inclusion. Parenting Neurodiverse children — those with ADHD, autism, sensory processing issues, and learning disabilities — presents challenges. As a diagnosed autistic person with ADHD and physical disabilities, Dr. Scott brings his experiences as a parent, researcher, educator, and Neurodiversity self-advocacy to an audience. He and his wife chose to be parents, fostering and then adopting two daughters. Audiences ask why an autistic person would want to be a father. Dr. Scott’s experiences and academic credentials empower him to advocate for their daughters in a school system that too often fails to provide reasonable support. Even well-intentioned parents, teachers, and researchers don't always understand what Neurodiverse minds and bodies experience. As a speaker with more than 150 regional and national appearances and 15 years of consulting experience, Dr. Scott discusses autism, parenting, and education from the autistic perspective. The Autistic Me blog was launched in January 2007 when he began working for others with special needs. He completed his doctoral studies in 2010 at the University of Minnesota. While a doctoral student, he conducted two grant-funded research projects on autism and instructional technology. He publishes in academic journals, co-edited a scholarly collection, and has presented numerous conference papers. Reflecting his passion for digital media, he completed a Master of Fine Arts in film and digital technology, a Master of Arts in English composition theory and rhetoric, and undergraduate degrees in English and journalism. You can learn more about Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt at https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/about/, https://liberalarts.tamu.edu/english/profile/christopher-wyatt/, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EvdCzSe8zU.

Kristie Guard was raised in a toxic family, and she married into a toxic marriage. She endured nearly 27 years of life not knowing what value she had to anyone. Ten years into a marriage with her high school sweetheart, author Kristie Addair Guard admitted the “happily ever after” just wasn’t, and it didn’t show any signs of getting there. However hard she tried, the lies she’d been given in childhood held a tight grip. Those fears left her enthralled—being unwanted, unloved, abandoned, and unimportant. In a last-ditch effort, she walked away in search of healing and happiness on her own, but instead, she met Jesus, the one who would deliver her from those fears. She learned that God is always at work in hearts. Through His word, therapists, time, and always through His loving, tender, kind presence, He brought Kristie first to her own healing and then to a marriage that wasn’t what she dreamed of but was precisely the best for her. Healing Ever After shares her story of heartbreak, healing, and redemption. It’s a story of Jesus making beauty from ashes—his favorite artistry- available to you, too, wherever you are. You can learn more about Kristie at https://www.instagram.com/kristie.addair.guard/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0e63c2a4-e868-4ad1-a017-d762662b27b6&ig_mid=16D2DAE1-5E08-465D-AF4C-D28BE5E56031.

Grace Peterson gave birth to a “rainbow baby,” which has come to be known as the child born following a previous loss from a stillbirth or miscarriage. Grace’s child was diagnosed with the rare Trisomy 18 chromosomal disease. Trisomy 18 is a disorder in which babies are born with three copies of chromosome 18 instead of 2. For an unknown reason, this accident occurs at conception, and all cells in the body will have this structure. She wrote the book Behind My Smile: A Rainbow Baby Story as a journal to work through her traumas of the first attempted birth. She had a difficult childhood due to chronic illnesses. She also suffered and courageously left an abusive relationship. She found the one person to share her life with and then tragically lost her daughter in utero through termination for medical reasons (TFMR). The incredible joy of her son's conception shortly after was shadowed by her post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and constant fear that she would lose him. She experienced conflicting emotions simultaneously. Soon after the birth of her rainbow baby, she nearly lost him to a significant illness. She realized her story had the potential to help other women. Through her life experiences, she has found her passion for speaking and eventually determined her strength as a woman and a first-time mother to a rainbow baby. You can learn more about Grace at https://www.instagram.com/gracepetersonrbm/.

Sara Slaybaugh experienced the emotions and discouragement of a toxic marriage. Many of us want a wholesome, long-term relationship to illuminate each other. As a person of faith, Sara hoped to get healthy support from fellow believers. She experienced mixed support from various people. Sara is now remarried with a blended family. Through her life experience, she works with divorced Christian women to coach them to learn how to find a loving and supportive relationship. Based on her experience, she understands the emotions of being a divorced Christian and feeling like an outsider in your previous circles. She coaches others to navigate being a newly single mom while helping them overcome the emotion of not wanting to date again to avoid a similar experience. Many Christian women experience weariness around being vulnerable to experiencing another toxic relationship. No one wants rejection. Through her experience, she developed ways to be practical with time, energy, or emotions to find the right person for a wholesome relationship. She has learned what to look for in a relationship while knowing what and how to say “no.” You can learn more about Sara at https://www.facebook.com/groups/confidenceandconnectionforsinglechristianwomen, YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SaraSlaybaughCoaching, and My free guide: www.saraslaybaugh.com/freeguide.

Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt is an autistic self-advocate and father of two neurodiverse daughters. He earned a doctorate researching online education and writing instruction for students with autism spectrum disorders. His experiences living with physical and neurological differences shape his parenting. Dr. Scott consults with schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations on issues of autism, neurodiversity, and active inclusion. Parenting Neurodiverse children — those with ADHD, autism, sensory processing issues, and learning disabilities — presents challenges. As a diagnosed autistic person with ADHD and physical disabilities, Dr. Scott brings his experiences as a parent, researcher, educator, and Neurodiversity self-advocacy to an audience. He and his wife chose to be parents, fostering and then adopting two daughters. Audiences ask why an autistic person would want to be a father. Dr. Scott’s experiences and academic credentials empower him to advocate for their daughters in a school system that too often fails to provide reasonable support. Even well-intentioned parents, teachers, and researchers don't always understand what Neurodiverse minds and bodies experience. As a speaker with more than 150 regional and national appearances and 15 years of consulting experience, Dr. Scott discusses autism, parenting, and education from the autistic perspective. The Autistic Me blog was launched in January 2007 when he began working for others with special needs. He completed his doctoral studies in 2010 at the University of Minnesota. While a doctoral student, he conducted two grant-funded research projects on autism and instructional technology. He publishes in academic journals, co-edited a scholarly collection, and has presented numerous conference papers. Reflecting his passion for digital media, he completed a Master of Fine Arts in film and digital technology, a Master of Arts in English composition theory and rhetoric, and undergraduate degrees in English and journalism. You can learn more about Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt at https://www.tameri.com/autisticme/about/, https://liberalarts.tamu.edu/english/profile/christopher-wyatt/, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EvdCzSe8zU.

Nancy Nungari works with organizations that want to capitalize on the power of digital content for customer acquisition and retention. Born and raised in Kenya, Nancy is based in Germany, where she's lived for 25+ years. Growing up on Africa's east coast, as a young girl, she wanted to be a nurse, an air hostess, or a fashion designer. Years later, she went to design college and worked in the fashion industry after moving to Europe. Following a back injury, she left employment, and after recovery, she followed her passion for reading and opened a Christian bookshop in Germany. Then e-commerce exploded, the recession hit, and Amazon became a competitor she couldn't keep up with. So, she wrote and published her first book, closed the shop, and took her business online. Her life has progressed despite adversity. For years, she struggled with emotional pain and a hunger for happiness, peace, and spiritual enlightenment that led her down many dead-end streets. Her search for fulfillment and purpose led to bad choices as she spiraled into addictions, destructive relationships, the occult, and debilitating depression. Then, in her darkest hour, she remembered the Jesus her mother introduced her to as a child. She asked Him for help, and the radical transformation and healing journey began. Today, she credits her achievements while overcoming a traumatic past to God’s unconditional love. You can learn more about Nancy at https://www.nagaconsulting.com.

Paul Granger describes his emotions and learning from his life experiences of enduring a stillborn childbirth and job termination from a toxic ministry experience. He and his wife prayed fervently for God to restore or create a heartbeat for their child in the womb of his wife. They prayed for and “claimed” that God could and would make a heartbeat. That did not happen. So, did God not hear or not care about their prayer? This resulted in a time of deep introspection from which they gained insights into God and oneness with Him. Following that experience, he experienced a job termination from a toxic ministry environment. Again, he and his wife are left with a “what now?” experience. Through these two life traumas, God impressed on Paul and his wife a renewal of their spirits and relationship with the God who created them and whose thoughts and ways are above ours. Through these two life experiences, Paul ministers to those experiencing similar hurting experiences. You can learn more about Paul at instagram.com/wheredidyouseeGod, https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-granger-804, and https://www.facebook.com/ptgranger.

Nico Lagan is an influential entrepreneur, men’s coach, and host of the thought-provoking podcast The Nico Lagan Show. Growing up without a strong male figure, Nico found himself idolizing the wrong role models and fell into a life of addiction and drug dealing until he eventually realized the need for positive change in his life. He is now on a mission to be a voice for men and empower them to reclaim their purpose and masculinity. During his life’s journey and personal transformation, Nico realized that in today’s society, masculinity is often under attack, and traditional values associated with men are deemed controversial. Undeterred by opposition, Nico fearlessly advocates for strong men and believes in bringing back the fundamentals of true masculinity. He emphasizes the importance of virtues such as being a protector, a provider, courageous, temperate, and having faith. Nico’s journey towards self-discovery and purpose was catalyzed when he decided to take a step back from the corporate world and embarked on a transformative solo motorcycle journey. This soul-searching adventure led him to embrace his true calling and ignited his passion for helping men find their purpose and identity. Nico’s approach to empowering men is encapsulated in the “5 Virtues of a Good Man.” He stresses the importance of being a protector, provider, courageous, temperate and having faith. These virtues guide men to cultivate their manliness and become better leaders in their families, communities, and society. You can learn more about Nico at https://nicolagan.com/

https://www.facebook.com/realnicolagan, https://www.tiktok.com/@realnicolagan, https://www.instagram.com/realnicolagan/, https://www.youtube.com/@nicolagan, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolagan/.

Grace Tran lived much of her early life being self-critical while holding herself to unrealistic expectations. Through a reflective review and her accepting husband, she discovered she was living the life of an imposter. Because of previous interactions, she realized she was impersonating someone she wanted to be but was not. This discovery helped her discover the root cause of her high-functioning anxiety and chronic stress. She found through various therapy sessions she was very hard on herself. She assumed her critical nature was expected because she knew nothing different. Multiple health scares caused her to address the root of her problem. She learned to embrace her flaws and weaknesses through deep self-assessment and practice self-compassion. Previously, she had known through rote behavior traits to suppress and accept self-deprecating thoughts while attempting to overcompensate. She is now on a journey to unlearn the past and learn new thought patterns, leading to healthy self-confidence. She is passing forward her evaluated life experiences. You can learn more about Grace at https://withthetrans.com, instagram.com/gracellence, and instagram.com/withthetrans